`70-`72 fender "egg crate" side vents

[Howard Nardick]

are all 70-72 fender side vents "egg crates" the same?? I have a set here with the numbers 3995017/018.....thanks in advance!! HN

[Terry M.]

Re: `70-`72 fender "egg crate" side vents

The short answer (which is also contained in the 1970-1972 TIM&JG) to your question is NO they are not all the same. I can't tell you a thing about the numbers (which are probably casting numbers), but the first design is 1970 to E1971. Second design is 1971 to 1972.
The difference is in the raised portion of the casting at the trailing edge of the rectangular openings. The first design has no vertical raised rib on the rear lip of the opening, the second design does. There is also a step on the floor of each rectangular opening of the second design. No step in that location on the first design.
I think there is a drawing in the TIM&JG that would work much better than my humble words.

[Joe L.]

Re: `70-`72 fender "egg crate" side vents

Howard-----

What you have are the 71-72 louver panels, although early 1971 used the 1970 design. The 71-72 panels also became the SERVICE panels for 1970-E71 after the original parts were discontinued in 1974-75.

[Warren F.]

Re: `70-`72 fender "egg crate" side vents

Howard,

There are more differences as well between these two styles. The vertical surface of the 1970 style extend much further forward into each square opening, than the 1971 style. The 1st design is also a much heavier cast metal piece than the 2nd design because of this difference. The 2nd design has a similar stepped ledge around each individual square that is very similar to the stepped ledge around the individual squares of the 1970 to 1972 front cast metal grilles. As a matter of fact the 2nd design louver actually matches the front style grilles much better than the 1st design grille.

[Howard Nardick]

Thank you all.. *NM*